Velocity Toy’s V-Thunder 1:14 Scale Remote-controlled Truck

We’ve always love remote controlled gadgets in this house. Hubby’s had them since he was a little guy, and I’ve played with a few in my time. They’re always good for some fun whether you’re 6 or 60. The only caveat to that is when they don’t work. Then they’re frustrating, horrible headaches that are a waste of money. I was hoping for the former with Velocity Toys’ V-Thunder 1:14 Scale Remote Controlled 4X4 Truck, but unfortunately what I got was the latter.

Right out of the box, the V-Thunder Truck didn’t work right. It went forwards and backwards, but that was it. It wouldn’t turn. We tried everything we could, but the unit was defective. That wasn’t even the only failure. The “Sounds” in the form of music never worked. When we got the thin plastic shell off, we saw why: the wires to the speaker were never soldered. The red and blue LED’s in the wheel wells worked, but the anemic 6v NiCad battery pack could scarcely handle the functions of the truck, I can only imagine the amount of unnecessary drain on the battery those would be. And as I mentioned, the plastic shell around the truck is almost paper thin, but thankfully the bumper is sturdy, otherwise your first impact would also be your last on the body. The controls are poor, in that there’s no gradual acceleration at all. It’s full-power forward or no power, and with no steering, that ended badly every time. There’s no adjusting them, because the analog adjustment levers are molded on the plastic frame of the controls, and non-functional. It was also, for reasons I’ll never understand, covered in dirt and filthy out of the box. Odd.

For the price, you could do a lot better. Cursory glances around Toys R Us, Walmart and Target showed multiple vehicles of similar size, that probably work, for much less, sometimes less than half the price. If this were a gift, it would have made for a very unhappy recipient. I tried to contact Velocity Toys about this, multiple times. They directed me to contact “Airsoft Joe” for a replacement. “Airsoft Joe” had their auto-response on, and let me know they’d get to me as soon as possible. Multiple emails have yet to be answered since from either company. If I had bought this from them, I’d have felt like a fool, but thankfully I got a unit at no charge to test and review. So combine the defective product with poor to non-existent customer service and a blatant disregard for aftersales support, and you’ve got a product I not only don’t recommend, I’d avoid doing any business with them for anything in the future.

Connect with Velocity Toys:

• Online
• Normally, I’d put quite a few links, including where to buy. I don’t recommend anyone buy from this company, and their products and service are bad, so I’m really not going to “promote” them so much as warn my readers away.

 

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Velocity Toys. I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion. My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.

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Velocity Boxing’s Deluxe Reflex Punching Bag and Gloves

When we were kids, we had inflatable bop bags, and beat them mercilessly until they sprung a leak and couldn’t be patched anymore. Depending on your ferocity, that meant it lasted anywhere from a day, to maybe a week. Much fun was had by all. Velocity Boxing has taken that time-honored concept and updated it to this day and age and given kids of all ages a new way to get some exercise and activity with their Deluxe Reflex Punching Bag and Gloves.

While this bag still inflates, it it heavy-duty stitched vinyl panels this time, and a chromed steel adjustable shaft that goes from 35″ all the way up to 53″, and a bottom to fill with 50lbs of sand or water to provide a sturdy, stable base for all your fun. Everything assembles quickly, easily, and with minimal effort and practically no tools. It can moved from room to room with ease and can be disassembled for storage just as easily. The set comes with some basic 6oz. protective gloves and an hand-pump inflation tool for the bag. And everything is made to last!

 

I would go so far as to label this product a piece of exercise equipment more than a toy. It’s so well constructed that it could conceivably outlive your child’s interest in it, and there’s not many “toys” today that you can say that about. My husband even gave the item a few whacks and was impressed at the quality. Sadly, the gloves didn’t fit him at all, as they are quite small (the Amazon listing says 10″) but I was able to get my hands in them and gave him a few whacks too, and they seem to provide adequate cushioning. A little wrist support can’t be a bad thing, so I would consider picking up the kids upgraded gloves along with this set. All in all, it’s a great way for kids to blow off some steam and get a little exercise in, and I think it’s worth every penny of $39.99 asking price on Amazon.

Connect with Velocity Toys:

• On the web
• On Amazon

I received the above product(s) free of charge from Velocity Toys.  I am not obligated to provide a positive or favorable review, just my honest opinion.  My review is based on my experience with the product and/or brand, which may differ from yours.